What Are Medical Errors?

Medical errors are preventable events that may cause harm to a patient. These can include mistakes in diagnosis, medication errors, surgical errors, or failures in communication. Importantly, not all errors result in harm, but even small mistakes can sometimes lead to serious consequences.

Human Factors and Fatigue

One of the most common causes of medical errors is human fatigue. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers often work long shifts, sometimes exceeding 12 hours. Fatigue can affect concentration, memory, and decision-making, increasing the likelihood of mistakes.

Stress and high-pressure environments—especially in emergency rooms or intensive care units—also contribute to errors, even among highly trained professionals.

Communication Breakdowns

Poor communication is another major contributor to medical errors. Misunderstandings between healthcare providers, unclear patient instructions, or incomplete medical records can lead to incorrect treatments or delayed care.

For example, if a nurse does not receive updated information about a medication change, a patient could receive the wrong dose. Clear communication between care teams and with patients is essential to preventing these mistakes.

System-Level Problems

Many medical errors are not caused by individuals but by system failures. These include confusing electronic health record systems, understaffed hospitals, unclear protocols, or poorly designed workflows. When systems are rushed or disorganized, even skilled professionals can make mistakes.

Healthcare organizations now focus on improving systems rather than blaming individuals, recognizing that safer systems lead to fewer errors.

How Medicine Is Reducing Errors

Hospitals use multiple strategies to reduce errors, such as checklists, electronic prescribing, barcode medication systems, and team-based communication training. Encouraging staff to report near-misses without fear of punishment also helps institutions identify problems before harm occurs.

Patient involvement is also key—patients who ask questions, confirm medications, and understand their care plans can help prevent mistakes.

Why Understanding Medical Errors Matters

Learning why medical errors happen helps improve healthcare systems and patient safety. It also highlights the importance of empathy, communication, and continuous improvement in medicine. For students interested in healthcare, understanding errors is just as important as learning successes.

Works Cited

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. “Medical Errors.” AHRQ, https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/about/errors.html

World Health Organization. “Patient Safety.” WHO, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/patient-safety

Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Medical Errors and Patient Safety.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/patient-safety